Vanderman No. 1

[Jeff357]

So, I scored this fantastic Vanderman vise yesterday. I don’t know a ton about it, but I know I have something really cool. It has 5” jaws and weighs about 100 lbs.

Does anyone have any info regarding how old this vise may be? I do intend to strip the silver paint, but have seen no markings other than those obvious on the casting.

I do know the Vanderman Manufacturing Co was purchased and moved in 1966, so based on the casting reading Willimantic, Conn I am sure it was made prior to 1966.

I’ve seen photos of other Vanderman’s with the letters on the other side of the vise - not sure of that indicates a relative manufacture date?

Any info is appreciated. This thing is sooo cool!!




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DadsTools]

Don't know anything about it, but looks like a really good vise. If I may suggest, even with vintage vises, you also post it in The Vises of Garage Journal in the General section. I posted some little obscure old vise once, and not only did they find me dates, mfr, but patent and period ads. It's crazy over there.

BTW, you must reveal how much you paid to be eligible for a You **** award.

 

[Jeff357]

Don't know anything about it, but looks like a really good vise. If I may suggest, even with vintage vises, you also post it in The Vises of Garage Journal in the General section. I posted some little obscure old vise once, and not only did they find me dates, mfr, but patent and period ads. It's crazy over there.



BTW, you must reveal how much you paid to be eligible for a You **** award.

Thanks DadsTools, I’ll cross post.

I paid $30 for this beast...does that earn me the award?!?

 

[DadsTools]

Thanks DadsTools, I’ll cross post.

I paid $30 for this beast...does that earn me the award?!?

I must leave that decision to the vise boys in here. I only know you have to state what you paid to qualify. But if you mention suckage, it disqualifies you. So you just have to run the flag up and see if anyone salutes.

 

[tdcisco1]

30 is the deal of the day !!!

 

[wrenchguy]

steamfitters vice, now u need to find no.2 and no.3.

 

[notlob]

Great find!

However, even a casual reference or nod to the coveted award will generally result in YS denial.

 

[drivesitfar]

Jeff: I paid a LOT MORE for my Vanderman #1 cause it's a beast. at 100+ pounds it was maybe the most expensive and best made open screw vise made in the USA in the early 1900's and late 1800's.

I didn't know Vanderman was in business til the 1960's. your vise probably left their factory in the late 1800's or early 1900's so it's probably well over 100 years old. clean it up and put on some BLO and find a good spot for it cause it's a handy vise with those old steamfitter holes in it. AND it just looks cool sitting on an old bench.

nice find!!

WELL DONE!!!

 

[Maui]

I don’t see any evidence of cracks or repairs. Even the pipe jaws are still there and in good condition. Let me be the first to say...

 

[DadsTools]

There it is!

 

[Jeff357]

Perfect!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Trexler]

I just obtained a Vanderman #1 of my own, and as I was doing research I came across your thread. Did you ever finish restoring yours? I'd love to see pictures and hear lessons learned.

 

[Racf7]

Hi there I don't know much about Vanderman vises but I know they are great vises and they made a #0(very rare), a #1 and a #3 for some reason they didnt make a #2, years later I found a #5, I own 2 #3 and a #0

 

[Racf7]

Amazing vises

 

[drivesitfar]

Rac: for not knowing much about Vanderman vises you sure have a few nice ones. Yep it was maybe the most expensive bench vise sold in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s And it was called a steamfitters vise.

Are you positive they didn’t make a #2 cause I recall seeing catalog pics of that model? I own a #1 and I’ve seen a few #3’s in person. I think my #1 weighs about 100 pounds and it was the main vise for a big steel company’s shop.

 

[Racf7]

Thanks for the info there is no much info on the Internet, I am almost 100% sure about it number two

 

[Racf7]

I was offered this awesome Vanderman #3 its in great shape, first I said no because I already have 2 No. 3 why would need a 3rd one right? well the price was way too low so I couldn't pass the opportunity ......so now I own 3 No 3s